By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

Steve Zodiac:By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

Are you talking about war veterans or all veterans? Because I can tell you, my cousin has been sitting on his ass stateside, never in any danger, but will take any upgrade/free drink/freebie offered to him. He says if people are stupid enough not to question whether he's a combat vet, then he has every right to take advantage of their generosity. He once got applause walking through an airport, because he was in uniform, then got upgraded on his flight. Does he deserve all those things because he's simply in the military?

Military veterans get my utmost respect for what they have done for the country, but their actual medical needs should be met.... not handouts of Viagra just because someone decided it would be nice to hand it out like candy. They should definitely get all the treatment they need for any stress-related issues they have developed during their service, but I don't see "getting it up for 4 hours" as necessary if you're other head is screwed up.

There are plenty of public service workers who cannot get coverage of Viagra-type drugs or any other needed drugs through their insurance.... and can't afford the costs on their own. Women still cannot get adequate coverage for birth control or anything else "woman related". Needed drugs should be covered for all who need them. It shouldn't be based on some politician doing a favor for some company or as a publicity stunt.

FTA: The department's pharmaceutical spending with San Francisco-based McKesson, which has a contract to supply most of the VA's drugs, rose 22 percent to $4.29 billion from $3.51 billion during the same time period.

Also FTA: The VA needs to do more to ensure female veterans receive equal treatment for sexual dysfunction, Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) said. "Many of the issues around female sexual dysfunction are largely unrecognized, and it's difficult to get assistance,'' Pingree said. There is no VA diagnostic code for female sexual-arousal disorder, which has resulted in women having sexual dysfunction claims denied, she said.

Kimothy:Are you talking about war veterans or all veterans? Because I can tell you, my cousin has been sitting on his ass stateside, never in any danger, but will take any upgrade/free drink/freebie offered to him. He says if people are stupid enough not to question whether he's a combat vet, then he has every right to take advantage of their generosity. He once got applause walking through an airport, because he was in uniform, then got upgraded on his flight. Does he deserve all those things because he's simply in the military?

In any system there are those that game it to their advantage. CEO's of failing companies get large bonuses, Welfare queens cheat the system, corrupt cops get away with beatings and lying, etc etc. But is that the norm or the exception?

I don't think most of the vets are like your cousin. I know a few who somehow stayed stateside for the last 10 years, but most veterans I know had at least one tour overseas somewhere, even if not in a war zone. I have friends who were sent to 'friendly' nations for a tour, and because of war demands and because they went to a non-combat zone they had longer tours. I am certain, though I cannot prove it, that it cost one of those friends his job. Legally they cannot fire you if you are Reserve and called to duty. They (supposedly) eliminated his old position, then offered him another job in the company. And fired him 2 weeks after he took the position. His old job suddenly re-appeared. Yes he probably could have fought it and won. He was, and is, tired and discouraged. I think most vets have experiences like this (or worse) than have a situation like your cousin. Since, as I said, every system gets scammed by a few bad apples, I am not going to deny those who deserve help and praise because a few undeserving might benefit.

Steve Zodiac:By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

It is kind of strange, isn't it, that you can't find a single Ferrarri or Aston-Martin dealership adjacent to a military base, but you're guaranteed to find hundreds of payday lenders, rent-to-own appliance stores, bad-credit used car dealers, and pawn shops.

Our national defense generates a lot of wealth, but not for the people who wear uniforms, as you've noticed.

Kimothy:Steve Zodiac: By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

Are you talking about war veterans or all veterans? Because I can tell you, my cousin has been sitting on his ass stateside, never in any danger, but will take any upgrade/free drink/freebie offered to him. He says if people are stupid enough not to question whether he's a combat vet, then he has every right to take advantage of their generosity. He once got applause walking through an airport, because he was in uniform, then got upgraded on his flight. Does he deserve all those things because he's simply in the military?

Well why the fark not? The gov't is apparently responsible for every aspect of our health now so if you have a health issue that keeps you from getting a boner....im just surprised employers aren't required to provide them to employees

Kimothy:Steve Zodiac: By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

Are you talking about war veterans or all veterans? Because I can tell you, my cousin has been sitting on his ass stateside, never in any danger, but will take any upgrade/free drink/freebie offered to him. He says if people are stupid enough not to question whether he's a combat vet, then he has every right to take advantage of their generosity. He once got applause walking through an airport, because he was in uniform, then got upgraded on his flight. Does he deserve all those things because he's simply in the military?

Steve Zodiac:By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

No, you're pretty much what self-styled "conservatives" have devolved to.

MisterTweak:Steve Zodiac: By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

It is kind of strange, isn't it, that you can't find a single Ferrarri or Aston-Martin dealership adjacent to a military base, but you're guaranteed to find hundreds of payday lenders, rent-to-own appliance stores, bad-credit used car dealers, and pawn shops.

Our national defense generates a lot of wealth, but not for the people who wear uniforms, as you've noticed.

What's disgusting about all those shady businesses that prey on service memebers: they're often owned by retired service members.

Earguy:Subby does not understand how veterans' medical benefits, and varying levels of eligibility, work.

This. There are even varying levels of being a veteran, apparently, since I've been told I'm not one basically because I never got deployed while in the Reserves. Yet some organizations don't mind that.

Kimothy:Steve Zodiac: By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

Are you talking about war veterans or all veterans? Because I can tell you, my cousin has been sitting on his ass stateside, never in any danger, but will take any upgrade/free drink/freebie offered to him. He says if people are stupid enough not to question whether he's a combat vet, then he has every right to take advantage of their generosity. He once got applause walking through an airport, because he was in uniform, then got upgraded on his flight. Does he deserve all those things because he's simply in the military?

No he doesn't, and he's a turd. I hate it when I see people wearing their uniform around in airports or at a freaking restaurant when they damn sure don't need to be. That's one of the great things about the Marines. We don't allow cammies to be worn in town. If you're going to try to go on free drink patrol, all your chest candy (or lack thereof) is right there for anyone to see and judge for themselves.

That has about as much relevance as... absolutely nothing, actually. Why did you feel the need to bring that out? Was there some sort of implied social commentary, or do you just relish the chance to paint all Marines with LCpl Motari's broad brush of dishonor?

Not a single shred of my intellect or my decency would prevent these men from obtaining Viagra. I'm reminded of the award-winning photograph of the child running away from napalm. When you return to society, you return harmed.

The All-Powerful Atheismo: Earguy: Subby does not understand how veterans' medical benefits, and varying levels of eligibility, work.

I do.

/60%

60% is the standard for sleep apnea, a self induced condition that peopel get when they become fat asses and crush their body at night. Also tends to become more apparent when peopel get on shift work and move to nights for some reason.

Kimothy:Steve Zodiac: By many current conservatives I am probably considered a liberal, but in my opinion if a vet needs/wants Viagra, medical treatment, job training, counseling, temporary housing or an education then I think they have damn well earned it. Look at the headline about military suicides and you realize that we have put a lot of physical, emotional and financial pressure on our vets and their families. I don't support a blank check for anyone but US veterans are not getting anything near what we owe them.

Are you talking about war veterans or all veterans? Because I can tell you, my cousin has been sitting on his ass stateside, never in any danger, but will take any upgrade/free drink/freebie offered to him. He says if people are stupid enough not to question whether he's a combat vet, then he has every right to take advantage of their generosity. He once got applause walking through an airport, because he was in uniform, then got upgraded on his flight. Does he deserve all those things because he's simply in the military?

So, he's not subject to orders putting him in harm's way? Interesting, I could have sworn that anyone in the military could theoretically be sent anywhere the military needed them, at very little notice...

/got sent on one (of my three) trip the the gulf in gulf war 1 with precisely 72 hours notice, because another ship failed her quals, and we hadn't gone into refit yet

MisterTweak:It is kind of strange, isn't it, that you can't find a single Ferrarri or Aston-Martin dealership adjacent to a military base, but you're guaranteed to find hundreds of payday lenders, rent-to-own appliance stores, bad-credit used car dealers, and pawn shops.

Our national defense generates a lot of wealth, but not for the people who wear uniforms, as you've noticed.

The mall closest to Pearl Harbor Naval Station used to have a lawyer in it whose giant sign read:"DIVORCE-MILITARY RATES".

/also a pawn shop and a Long John Silvers...they tore it down and rebuilt it all gentrified-like, with not a pawn shop or divorce lawyer to be seen//the lawyer moved to another, equally-seedy mall that now also houses a mil-surplus store.///I was once the best-man at a wedding between an Army infantryman and a woman with HUGE tits. The wedding lasted...about half a year.

Ok, rather than hint about it I'll try to make it more clear. Since the mid-90's when you get out of the service there is an automatic review of your medical records. They started this because young servicemen and servicewomen often are hesitant to report issues they may have. It also helps weed out later false claims. Now any veteran can go to the VA and get medical aid. But there is an evaluation done as to what is covered free, reduced cost or at full cost. Generally speaking coverage for things service connected is 100%. Generally because sometimes they are pretty obtuse at connecting the dots. It is possible to be service rated at 0%, which is the VA's way of saying "Service did that, but it is not debilitating for you but if it causes issues we will take care of it." 10% is the first major threshold. At 30% the rules change again and some additional services are allowed. 50% is the big cross over point for things where copay's disappear. More information on co-pays and the like here.

TL\DR version: I can get the medications and services I need but if they are not related to my service injuries I will be paying for them.

Sometimes it is worth it. Sometimes I go to a regular doctor under work health insurance. But for all the jackholes out there who like to say that everyone can buy their own health insurance, I just like to add while contracting and freelancing, I found that I was turned down for insurance at all due to pre-existing conditions for which the INSURANCE COMPANY WOULD NEVER SEE A RELATED BILL.

I'm 40% for both knees, one ankle and a back injury. All done in peace time but in uniform, in the field. Wars come and go, but stupid commanders putting their troops in unnecessarily risky situations are forever.

Kimothy:Are you talking about war veterans or all veterans? Because I can tell you, my cousin has been sitting on his ass stateside, never in any danger, but will take any upgrade/free drink/freebie offered to him. He says if people are stupid enough not to question whether he's a combat vet, then he has every right to take advantage of their generosity. He once got applause walking through an airport, because he was in uniform, then got upgraded on his flight. Does he deserve all those things because he's simply in the military?

I've got over 8 years in submarines (and yes, my shore duty was actually served on a submarine) during the cold war (82-91)and I haven't tapped the VA or any other governmental agency for squat since the day I got out. No loans, no medical, no educational assistance. Nothing.Hell, most of the people I know have no idea that I served, much less where or how. I may have to get into the VA system now because of Obamacare just to cover my bases but otherwise I probably never would have. For every scammer like your cousin out there there are probably 100 people who leave the service and never touch what they are legally entitled to. If they did the VA would be overwhelmed and bankrupt.

Your cousin is a disgrace as a human being for doing what he did, but that was probably his story long before he went into the military,